Lavender Love

About 2 year(s) ago by Anna Norton

Lavender is coloring up our late spring gardens in a lively shade of, well, lavender. One of our Facebook friends asked what the trick is to growing lavender up here in Highlands. The word on the street is that anything will grow in Highlands, which is part of a temperate rainforest. But Old Edwards Farm Manager Ezra Gardiner says the key to growing lavender here is lots of sun and drainage. Most lavender in colder areas doesn't make it because the roots get and stay too wet in the winter, and wet and cold soil is a killer for lavender. We have ours in raised beds that drain well and they overwinter just fine!

Often thought of as a product of Provence, France, lavender was actually taken there unintentionally by Roman soldiers. Using the flower for its antiseptic properties, they packed their wounds, and then wrapped them with wadding. During this process, the seeds spilled into the hospitable soil growing in abundance.

Whether you grow your own or purchase it from a provider, once harvested the list of uses is long. Some of the more familiar uses include lavender sachets and teas, while lavender crème brûlée may be a bit less familiar. Other Possibilities include adding the flower to witch hazel for an astringent, or simply rubbing it on the skin for a natural bug repellent. Of course, it's also always well used for a pretty and aromatic decoration around the house, especially in bedrooms and guestrooms because of its soothing and relaxing properties.

One variety you may not have come across is this rare white lavender found at Oakleaf Flower & Garden, known for keeping a healthy supply in stock!

A special thanks to Kirk Moore from Oakleaf for sharing his wealth of knowledge!